KG100 attack on 9/10 June 1944

[gilles collaveri]

In the evening of 9 June 1944, Dornier217's of KG100 take off from Toulouse/francazal, heading on to the North.

who could supply some information about this mission ?

• Target ? (I read two different versions : either a convoy of ships to Land's end/Cornwall or Barfleur in Normandy)
• How many aircraft involved ?
• How many Do217 missing ? (I read 1 or 2. Including probably Wnr 723052 whose crew was shot by French maquis).
• where were did they crash ?

Any further information about this mission in the night of 9/10 June 1944 will be most welcome.

Thanks as usual.

GC

[Chris Goss]

Gilles-don't forget I am writing about the Do 217. I will try and answer your questions tomorrow

[gilles collaveri]

I look forward reading you Chris.

The full story is that we I recently discovered the remains of a Do217 North of Cahors and I am convinced (but not yet sure 100%) that we have Wnr 723052, which was shot down on 10 June, with crew killed by French Maquis.
All local testimonies match the archives.
And the remains found are clearly the ones of a Do217M11 aircraft (we have a engine plate with "DB603A2").

I could read in Martin Bollinger's book that "Wnr723052 was accidentally shot down by German defenses on the way back. The crew bailed out and was captured by French resistance and executed on the spot. Talk about having a bad day.. " matching the book of Cescotti: http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2012/0...-roderich.html

So, I am looking for more information about this event:
- how many crew members exactly : 4 or 3 ? Was there a survivor that told what happened ? I have the NVM which unclear to me.
- How do we know that the German FLAK shot it ?
- why is Marmande mentioned ? was there any radio communication between this aircraft and the others ?

That's why any information will be welcome about this Wnr. 723052.

Cheers and stay safe.

Gilles

[Chris Goss]

Gilles:

1. I would expect they were after shipping off Barfleur.
2. Nick Beale might be able to get this from his sources.
3 & 4. 326473/6N+JP at Le Louroux Beconnais, 723052 at Marmande, 4708/6N+KT off Barfleur
5. Only 3 crew named for 723052, BM missing so either an error or safe.

If you have the NVM, maybe this might offer more clues or check the VDK site

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Gilles:

2. Nick Beale might be able to get this from his sources.

TNA HW 13/39, report CX/MSS/OPD/1200, extract attached.

If you want to know what ships were attacked, I'd suggest checking the Admiralty War Diaries or the ones for the Seekkriegsleitung which are available online.

[jschreiber]

Salut Gilles !

From the "La Kampfgeschwader 100 - l'escadre au Drakkar" :

- Do 217 K-3 6N+KR, Wnr 4788, 9./KG 100. Pilot Lt Heinz Schulz, Observer Uffz Hans Dauz, Mechanic Ogfr Heinz Neumann (all missed), Radio Fw Werner Nietsch (came back). Barfleur

- Do 217 M-11 6N+JP, Wnr 336473, 8./KG 100. Pilot FhjFw Gerhard Klemp, Observer and StaffelKapitän Siegfried Köezle, Radio Fw Alexander Döpper, Mechanic Ogfr Franz Pelka, all missed. Barfleur

- (not given for June 10 but June 8 in the losses list, but for the same date in the main text). Do 217 M-11 Wnr 732052, 6./KG 100, Pilot Oblt Heinrich Kirchhoff, radio Uffz Ernst-Günter Bischoff, Observer Uffz Helmut Schäfer killed by the Maquis. No word of a 4th crew member. Shot down by the Flak near Marmande, crew escaped by parachute.

Keep healthy !

Jean

[Chris Goss]

VDK says Marmande-over 100 km from Marmande to Cahors

[gilles collaveri]

Thanks Chris Nick & Jean,

here is the NVM : we see 3 crew members mentioned, whereas in the Do217, there were 4 crew members.

I would deduct that 3 was shot and 1 escaped, to tell the story .

What do you think ?
How do you read the NVM ?

About Marmande: this city is not very far from Payrac (less than 100 km, half an hour flight) which is the crash place.
We could imagine a last radio contact when the A/C was flying close to Marmande ("bei Marmande"), then they ran out of fuel some 30 minutes later, when they have reached Payrac..

Thanks and stay safe please.

Gilles

[Chris Goss]

VDK just says they were killed near Marmande & I would say 4th crewman survived

[Brian Bines]

Was there any reprisal action taken over the killing of these airmen ?